Who do you support in the Georgia/Russia conflict?

[GMantis]

The Ossetian people. And thus no one who is, directly or indirectly, a party to the conflict (so, not the governments of South Ossetia, Georgia, Abkhazia, Russia, or the United States of America... I'm sure I'm forgetting to list some people.)

Couldn't have said it better (hence the signature). Though I admit that I'm less sympathetic to the Georgian government than the Georgian one.

[GMantis]

A question to those who wholeheartedly support Georgia: what should happen to South Ossetia?

[GMantis]

This is all very good, but somehow I don't think it's really possible after the Georgians destroyed Tskhinvali.
Of course, if Russian citizens are excluded, then this might work...

[GMantis]

I believe the South Ossetians broke the ceasefire

You believe? Do you have evidence, or the Russians are always automatically wrong?

so the Georgian incursion was just retaliation.

Destroying and then occupying the region's capital, under the call of restoring constitutional order (in other words, occupy South Ossetia). Seems a bit of an overreaction, but that's probably just me.

[GMantis]

Do you think this could break out into a bigger war?

If the Americans snapped and attacked Russia, yes. In the real world probably not.

[GMantis]

I believe the South Ossetians broke the ceasefire

You believe? Do you have evidence, or the Russians are always automatically wrong?

"Separatists opened fire at the two Georgian villages of Prisi and Tamarasheni, and we had to return fire," the secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Kakha Lomaia told Reuters.

Given past and recent events, yes, I do trust Georgia far more than Russia.

so the Georgian incursion was just retaliation.

Destroying and then occupying the region's capital, under the call of restoring constitutional order (in other words, occupy South Ossetia). Seems a bit of an overreaction, but that's probably just me.

Wrong. Georgia justly retaliated after Ossetian rebels broke the ceasfire, after having tolerated YEARS of Russian acts of war against Georgia. It's the straw that broke the camel's back. Perhaps it was foolish in retrospect, but not an overreaction.

And how dare you blame the destruction of the South Ossetian capital solely on Georgia. I'm sure the Russians had nothing to do with it.

Yes, I dare. The Russians didn't react to that attack for a very significant period of time. When they did, the city was already severely damaged and refugees were streaming out.
What were these acts of war you speak of? Things were rather strained and there were sporadic shootous - started by both sides, but it can be hardly called acts of war.
About who broke the ceasefire, I'm not prepared to trust either side yet. Especially after yesterday, when they both controlled Tskhinvali completely, at the same time.

[GMantis]

Yes, I dare. The Russians didn't react to that attack for a very significant period of time. When they did, the city was already severely damaged and refugees were streaming out.
What were these acts of war you speak of? Things were rather strained and there were sporadic shootous - started by both sides, but it can be hardly called acts of war.

Russians are supposed to be peacekeepers. That is the sole reason they are in South Ossetia. Any military action by the supposed Russians peacekeepers against Georgian territory can be reasonable causus belli. But you asked for specific examples:

* September 2006: Russian spies discovered in Georgia
* March 2007: Russian helicopters attack a school and Georgian government offices in Kodori Gorge, in the Georgian-controlled part of Abkhazia. The UN report makes it clear, if indirectly, that the Russians were involved.
* August 2007: A Russian military jet illegally enters Georgian airspace and drops a missile in Tsitelubani, which thankfully does not explode. Georgian account is confirmed by two international investigations.
* August 2007: Russia once against violates Georgian airspace in the Abkhazia region.
* September 2007: The Russian ambassador to Georgia insults that nation.
* April 2008: Russia shoots down a Georgian UAV in Abkhazia. Georgian account confimred by the UN. Russia then starts a military buildup in Abkhazia, ridiculously claiming it's for "peacekeeping".

And the Georgians haven't done anything?